Brainbombs - Obey (1996)

Styles: Noise Rock, Garage Punk | SE

Brainbombs are one of the most infamous Punk acts from their part of Europe, known for their repetitive production and disturbing lyrics. The cover features a photo of American murderer and graverobber Ed Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield. 

Kill Them All begins with the Kawai MS710 Keyboard demonstration track, lulling the listener into a sense of comfort until the feedback starts ringing and the true song begins. The first half of this album is really the best display of the band and their sound while also being some of their best songs. The intro as the rest of the album is completely demented, with a sloppy constantly repeating instrumental and the vocalist Peter Råberg's manic decrees,

„If you have the power

Then use it and kill them all

You got the right

To make them crawl“

The repetition could be a turn off for some but to me it perfectly goes together with the vocals, making something powerfully disgusting. To break up the pace some tracks have trumpets included, their dissonance and tapering off throughout tracks giving them an extra layer of complexity. Lyrically this album is obviously incredibly macabre, revelling in its own vulgar sexuality and violence. Many people have a problem with it, understandable to a degree but if you listen enough you'll understand this album isn't that serious. It's an exercise in strength, an obscene show of force. Still, it doesn't take itself too seriously even with just how the vocals are performed with a sort of stream of consciousness rambling like on the track Lipstick on My Dick. Råberg's Swedish accent helps accentuate the dark humored nature of the record. At times it does get a bit boring though, mainly because of how repetitive these tracks are in composition and style. 

Obey is an important piece of transgressive music, hated for the same reasons I adore it. It's revolting yet memorable and has a massive potency to it, feeling like it'll burst from its own rage at any second. Recommended for fans of Steve Albini-adjacent Noise Rock bands who want something simpler.

8.5/10

See also: Big Black, Rapeman, Flipper, Cherubs

Listen here: Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp

- kreyzi